Relay



Feb. 20, 1934. w. c. BRoEKHUVYsEN' RELAY Filed June 18. 1931 IN VEN TOR. WILL/AM C. BeosKf-fuves/v,

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES RELAY William C. Broekhuysen, New Haven, Conn., asslgnor to The Engineering and Research Corporation, a corporation of Connecticut Application June 18, 1931. Serial No. 545,216

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved relay capable of use in numerous different associations, but primarily intended to be employed to control a plurality of 6 circuits.

It is an object of the invention to furnish a device of this character which will embody relatively few parts, each individually simple and rugged in construction., and capable of manufacture largely by automatic machinery and which parts may be assembled with minimum of expense and diiiiculty to provide an apparatus operating over long periods of time with freedomv from mechanical or electrical diificulties.

I A further object of the invention is that of furnishing a relay which will function in an extremely positive manner in that it quickly reacts either in response to energization or de-energization.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheet of drawing illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a relay;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof;

' Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along lines 3 3 and 4-4 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated respectively in Figs. 2 and 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic structure which forms a part of the relay; Fig. 6 is a. similar view of the actuating arm and armature associated therewith;

Fig. 'l is a perspective view of one of the electromagnetic elements and Fig. 8 is a plan view of one of the circuit breaker arms. v

Referring primarily to Fig. 5, numeral 10 indicates a laminated structure around which a coil is disposed as in Figs. 1 to 4.' This structure provides the electromagnet, and at this time it will be noted that side pieces or plates 12 are preferably provided for retaining-in conjunction with suitable bolts or rivets-all of these parts in assembled condition. The plates 12 have flanged 4.5 portions 13 extending outwardly from the upwardly projecting parts of their bodies, thus affording a convenient mounting for the relay. The horizontal portions of these plates are extended as at 14 to provide a mounting for structure hereinafter described.

The lower ends of the plates 12 extend beyond the laminated structure and are provided with openings 16 for accommodating stub shafts 17 forming a part of the actuating arm and armature of the relay. Thus, the latter is rockingly supported below the field ofthe electromagnet. Preferably the actuated arm and armature as in Fig.

6 includes a body 18 the rear portion of which is U-shaped in cross section. This may be achieved by suitably bending the metallic strip forming (Cl. 20G-104) such arm or by utilizing a supplemental strip 19 disposed beyond the laminated structure 20 which forms the armature proper and which latter is arranged between the strip 19 and the upwardly extending flange portions 21 which forms an integral part of the strip 18. The stub shafts 17 preferably form a part of a bolt which, in conjunction with a bolt 22 serves to retain the armature structure and the strip 19 in position. The arm 18 extends beyond this point and terminates in an inwardly extending or hook-shaped end 23.

Mounted upon the flanges 14 and at points beyond the electromagnet, is a block 24, preferably of dielectric material. Of course, and as shown in Fig. 1, strips 25 may be disposed along the upper faces of the flange portions 14, but it will be obvious that these strips may be dispensed with if desired. The block 24 mounts a bracket 26 which underlies the hook-shaped end 23 of the actuating arm and this bracket thus serves to limit the downward movement of the arm, it being obvious that upward movements of the arm may be limited by a number of factors, as, for example, by having the armature bear against the projecting end portion of the laminated structure 10.

Mounted upon the flange portions 14 are a number of circuit breakers 27 in the form of resilient, contact carrying strips and with a view to actuating these circuit breakers it will be observed that the block 24 is preferably bored to slidably accommodate rods 28 which have their lower ends in contact with the upper face of the hook-shaped portion 23, and upper ends operatively engaging the strips. Due to the resilience of the latter and the action of gravity, the armature and arm will normally occupy the position shown in Figs. 1 to 3, but it will be obvious that upon the magnet becoming energized the arm will swing upwardly, thus operating the circuit breakers.

It will be observed that, with a view to protecting the circuit breaker and also to provide a housing supporting structure, the ends of the flange portion 14 may be continued in the form of upwardly extending parts 15. Preferably, or in order to avoid complications on the part of the forming die these extensions or legs may, as shown, be integral with the strips 25.

In order to permit of the use of this relay in connection with alternating current a collar 29, as shown in Fig. 7, is employed. This collar has an opening 30. The laminated structure l0 and the plates 12 are grooved and undercut as at 31, and one side of this collar is inserted in the groove, as in Fig. 3, whereupon this side or bar .is tapped to expand into the undercut groove 31,

thus locking the parts against movement. With a. view to further anchoring these parts it will be observed that the slot 30 has portions 32 extending into its area and which portions form an integral part of the collar. Thus, with the collar in position as shown in Fig. 4, those portions of the plates 12 vwhich project into the slot 30 may be bent outwardly, as at 33, to engage and overlie the portions 32.

Finally, in a structure such as this, it is desired that the circuit breakers have a maximum spring action consistent with the apparatus occupying the minimum amount of space. With a view of achieving this result it will be noted, as in Fig. 8, that the circuit breaker may include a terminal or tail portion 34, a body 35, through which the securing means passes, and a spring arm 36 which extends rearwardly as at 37 and is then turned upon itself to project in the proper direction. By this expedient a maximum spring action is assured, while at the same time a minimum of space is occupied.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, among others, the several objects of the invention, as specifically aforenoted, are achieved. It will also be apparent that numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A relay including a pair of plates, a laminated structure disposed between the same, a winding associated with said structure and providing in conjunction therewith an electromagnet, said plates being extended beyond said structure, an actuating arm pivotally supported by the extended portions of said plates, an armature connected to said arm and cooperating with said electromagnet, a bracket mounted by said plates and beyond said electromagnet, a hook-shaped portion forming a part of said arm and extending into said bracket to provide a stop structure, and a switch member connected to said arm to be operated thereby.

2. A relay including a pair of plates, a laminated structure disposed between the same, a winding associated with said structure and providing in conjunction therewith an electromagnet, said plates being extended'beyond said structure, an actuating arm pivotally supported by the extended portions of said plates, an armature connected to said arm and cooperating with said electromagnet, a bracket mounted by said plates and beyond said electromagnet, a hook-shaped portion forming a part of said arm and extending into said bracket to provide a stop structure, a block interposed between said bracket and plates and being formed with an opening, a switch member mounted by said plates, and a rod extending between said switch member and said arm and through said opening to connect the switch member with said arm'.

3. A relay of the character described, including in combination, two supporting plate members, a magnet comprising a coil, a core of laminated construction disposed between and supported by said plate members, and a pole shader encircling a portion of one pole of said magnet core, said pole shader being engaged and supported by outwardly disposed ends on said plate members, an armature pivotally supported by said plate members, switch membersmounted on said plate members, and operative connections between said armature and switch members.

4. A relay of the character described, including in combination, two supporting plate members, a magnet comprising a coil, a core having a bifurcated pole disposed between and supported by said plate members, and a pole shader encircling one prong of said bifurcated pole, said pole shader being engaged and supported by outwardly disposed ends on said plate members, an armature pivotally supported by said plate members, switch members mounted on said plate members, and operative connections between said armature and switch members.

5. A relay of the character described, including in combination, two supporting plate members, a magnet comprising a core disposed between and supported by said plate members, and a coil encircling said core and plate members, an operating arm pivotally supported by said plate members, an armature affixed to said operating arm, switch mechanism mounted on said plate members including ilexible contact strips bent upon themselves in a plane perpendicular to their direction of movement, and means operatively connecting said contact strips and said operating arm.

6. A relay of the character described, including in combination, two supporting plate members, a magnet comprising a core disposed between and supported by said plate members, and a coil encircling said core and plate members, an operating arm pivotally supported by said plate members, an armature affixed to said operating arm, switch mechanism mounted on said plate members including flexible contact strips bent upon themselves in a plane perpendicular to their direction of movement, a block disposed between said switch mechanism and said operating arm and being formed with openings, and rods extending through said openings and operatively connecting said switch mechanism and said operating arms.

7. A relay of the character described, including in combination, two supporting plate members, a magnet including a coil, a core disposed between and supported by said plate members, and a pole shader encircling a portion of saidcore, said pole shader being engaged and supported by outwardly disposed ends on said plate members, an armature pivotally supported by said plate members, switch mechanism mounted on said plate members including flexible contact strips bent upon themselves in a plane perpendicular to their direction of movement, and means operatively connecting said contact strips and said operating arm.

8. A relay of the character described, including in combination, two supporting plate members, a magnet including a coil, a coreof laminated construction having a bifurcated-'pole disposed between and supported by said plate members, and a pole shader encircling one prong of said bifurcated pole, said pole shader being engaged and supported by outwardly disposed ends on said plate members, an operating arm pivotally supported by said plate members, an armature afilxed to said operating arm, switch mechanism mounted on said plate members including flexible strips bent upon themselves in a plane perpendicular to their direction of movement, a block disposed between said switch mechanism and said operating arm, and being formed with openings, and rods extending through said openings and operatively connecting said contact strips with said operating arm.

WILLIAM C. BROEKHUYSEN. 

